November 20, 2012

My 'Trip' to Amsterdam

With the famous IAMsterdam sign!

Amsterdam was Team Canada's one and only trip where we all were traveling together. So, we decided to be troopers and take the Megabus from Paris (a 7 hour overnight bus ride). We arrived at 6:30am, and quickly took a taxi back to our hotel.

For breakfast, we went to a pancake place called Pancakes! Amsterdam. I ordered American style pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. You can't get more Canadian than that!! It was delicious. I haven't had pancakes, bacon, or maple syrup in the longest time. It felt like I was back at home.

After breakfast, we headed out to try to find the IAMsterdam sign :)

View from the top!

Here are a couple pictures of us there! It was a mission and a half to climb up those letters haha, but we did it!
After finding the sign, we explored a little. We didn't take any public transit to get from one area to another. We just explored by foot, and walked along canals and rivers. Whenever I think of Amsterdam, I think of bikes, canals, and a certain plant. Everyyyyone bikes here!! And canals are basically intertwining within the city.

As for what I'm sure you're all curious about.. No, I didn't pass out on that opportunity. Okay fine, I wouldn't really say it's an opportunity, but it had to be done. YOAO. You're only in Amsterdam once. ...That's also a lie but whatever guys :P

And thaaat is basically it. After having some cakes, we walked along the Red Light District. It was pretty disturbing yet interesting.. Men just roamed the streets like it was no big deal.
Other than that, we didn't do anything crazy and just headed to a bar for a couple of happy hour (their happy hour is from 10-11pm) drinks, and then we headed to bed.

Outside the Red Light District

Round 1 at Coco's

Round 2

We woke up the following day to do a little more exploring, and then headed to the bus station where we took another 7 hour bus ride back to Paris.
All in all, it was a pretty fun trip. Although it was nothing that I had expected it to be like, it was still an experience. Oh, and did I mention about how amazing The Netherlands' Starbucks holiday drinks are?! AMAZING. Cranberry White Mocha. You cannot go wrong with that combo.

That is all.XO

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Total spent on doing things I never would have done otherwise: $3253.44